Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-05-09
MAINE DISPATCHES.
ON TRIAL FOR MANsLAUGHTeR
|apt' clark OF Wiscasset, who Shot His
n.Law-Testimony of the Di.
vorced Wife of the Victim,

DAMARIscoTTA, May 7.
The trial Of Capt. William II. CLARK fo,
mansiaughter, opened in the Supreme Judi.
cal court at Wiscassett, yesterday, Judge
Danforth presiding. Nearly the entire fore.
noon was occupied in empanelling an iurv,
l DIS case grew out of the shooting of Wilson
b. Graves, by Capt. Clark at Wiscassett, on
the night of February II, while Graves wa,
trying to enter Clark's house, Graves died
on the following day. In the prosecution O,
the case for the State, County Attorney C.
D. Castner is ably assisted by Judge Gilber,
OF Bath. The counsel for the prisoner are
w. ii. Hilton of Damariscotta, l.. M. Sta
pies of Washington, and X. S. Partridge OF
Whiteheld. County Attorney Castner, in
opening the case for the State, said that for q
long time previous to the shooting Clark had
entertained feelings of bitterness toward.
Graves, who married his daughter, and wa.
opposed to that marriage, and had usei
threatening language towards him. The
State would prove this, and further, thai
when final divorce had been decreed he
tween husband and wife, that Graves was
frequent visitor to Clarks house, and hac
marital relations with the daughter, all o
which was known to Clark. He admitted
the shooting and that he knew who he wal
firing at.
DR.. Cushman testified to being summoned
to Clark's house by Graves wife on the nigh
of the shooting, and described the tata
wound.
h. N. Sewall, Joe Nutter and others testi
fed to having heard Clark use threatening
language towards Graves. Mrs. Louisa Eli,
was with Graves after the shooting. Grave.
asked her to go for his wife, saying he hat
no ill feeling toward her. He realized
he was going to die; said that CLARK
had threatened 10 shoot him but did not think
he would. He came near fixing me seven
years ago"
c. + Emerson, editor of the Liliputian
testified that Clark admitted to him that he
supposed he knew who he was firing at.
Constable Call testified that he went t.
Clarks house on summons from Mrs
Graves. Clark handed him pistol, (pro.
duced and identified)
w. G Barber testified to going home with
Bessie Graves to Clsrk's farm one evening
Clark came to the door in his night clothe:
with n pistol and asked who it was, saying
81 thought it was Graves"
Charles Weeks. clerk of court, produced
records showing that decree of divorce, nis
had been granted at the October term, 1888
but that neither party had applied for fnal
separation.
The State rested its case at this point, and
l.. Nj. Staples opened for the defence. His
presentation of the care was clear, logical
and at times eloquent. Clark was in his owr
dweliing, was master of the house, and Justl
fed in keeping away an intruder at all haz-
ards 1t had not been shown that Clark had
any motive for the killing. Graves had as
seulted the daughter and threatened Clark
al the family feared him. He had broker
Into the house many times at night, and wa'
a source of annoyance and peril.
II. f. Hall, register of probate. produced
records showing divorced wife had beer
granted d, cree to resume her maiden name
OF Msry f. Clark.
Mary +. Clark, wife of the deceased, testi
fed: Aged "a; lived with Graves fourteen
wears Father boarded with me till he tool
| lhsrge of the house. Father provided to-
the family. Graves frequently came to thu
| house without fathers knowledge. He cam'
once, and when let him in he threw mi
down saying, d you, I'll fix YOU" I'll
was drunk, He afterwards said he though
It was father, and would fix him yet. III
again came and was so violent that Remained
| with father in his room With the door barred
till morning. When father went to the vii
| lage | found Graves asleep in room u
stairs. He said: 81 hope you don't think
meant to hurt you, Mary; it was the old man
d him. I'll fix him if l have to hang
Told father w ill had threatened to kill him
| On the night of the tragedy heard nois'
| in the shed and went to fathers room. He
cot no and went down. Called to some on
to 20 away. Then came back. l hear'
| more noise. and father went out again
Heard a shot, then father called to me-
| went out aud saw Graves lying in the door
wav. Helped to get him in and then wen
for the doctor.
Cross examined-Made an application TO
divorce. Before the libel was heard LET
town clandestinely and remained until sum
| moned by counsel. Have four children
| Lost one child November, 1885, begotten at
Ter the proceedings for divorce begun, not b.
Graves Graves and followed the child Il
the grave. He paid the funeral expenses
Have child younger than the one who died
Had communication with Graves in writin!
after the divsrce proceedings. Met him sew
eral time. by appointment. Was not innu
enc.d to apply for divorce, but, after pro
ceedings begun. changed my mibd.
Some minor testimony was taken' and IN